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(No Model.) 3 Sheets-LSheen I.

M. CLARK. STORE SERVICE SYSTEM.

N'0.'309,201 Lb I R Patented DEG-1, 1884-.

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WITNESS-E V ENTOR //y B E M ATTORNEY Nv Pawns. Fhalo Llllvngmpilur.Washm lun. D. c.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 M. CLARK.

STORE SERVICE sYsTBM.

N0. 309,201. PatemedDeo. 16,1884.

WITNESSES ATTORNEY (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3v M. CLARK.

STORE SERVICE SYSTEM.

No. 309,201. Patented Dec. 16, 1884.

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MILTON CLARK, OF NPHV YORK, N. Y.

STORE-SERVICE SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATIQEI forming part of Letters Patent No. 309,201, datedDecember 16, 1884.

Application filed August 13, 1884. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MILTON CLARK, of NewYork, in the county of New York and State of New York, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in StoreService Systems; and I dohereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, which will enable others skilled in theart to whichit appertains to make and use the same, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, and to theletters of reference markedthereon, which form part of this specification.

This invention relates to cash and parcel carrying systems for stores,warehouses, and such like places, and has for its object to provide asystem possessing the greatest simplicity both in its construction andmanagement, and one whereby the transmission of cash and purchasedarticles can be effected with the utmost rapidity and certainty.

YVith these ends in view the invention consists in the main track orway; approximately permanent or fixed at one end and capable of verticalmovement at the other, in combination with a terminal track at one orboth ends, which constitutes a continuation thereof, and which iscapable of being raised and lowered, so that it receives the car fromand again restores it to the main track.

Referring to the annexed drawings, Figure 1 represents a longitudinalside elevation of a track or way embodying the principles of myinvention, and Fig. 2 a plan view 01" an entire system constructed inaccordance therewith. Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are enlarged views indetail, to more clearly indicate the construction of certain parts.

Reference being had to the several parts by letters, A represents thecashiers desk, and B the counters of the-different salesmen.

G represents the main track, a number of which are made to radiate fromthe cashiers desk to the said counters. The said tracks or way 0 at thecashiers end are permanently fixed, by supports hereinafter described,to a plate, a, secured to the end of a rod or support, b, depending fromthe ceiling just above the head of the cashierthat is to say, the planeof inclination of the main track cannot be varied at that point of itssupport. At its opposite end the main track is adapted to be adjusted toan inclination both above and be low ahorizontal line. This track issecured at each end to one end of a jointed rod or bar, 0, attached to asupport, c,while to the opposite end of such jointed rods or bars issecured a cord or flexible medium, 6, which is carried up over a pulley,(Z, loosely journaled in bearings d, extending upwardly from thesupports 0, as shown, their free ends hanging down to within reach ofthe operator at either end. When these cords e are drawn tautly over thepulleys d, they are given an inclination away from or greater than themain track.

The manner of adjustment of the main track at the salesmans end isherein represented to be by means of a sliding block, D, attached to orforming a part of the support a, in which are journaled looselyanti-friction rollers 73 t, that move upon or against a dependingsupport, 1), similar to the support I) at the opposite end. A cord, is,secured to this block for operating it in its adjustment, extendsupwardly over a pulley, f, j ournaled in a collar, f, held upon the rod12 by a set-screw, as shown, its free end hanging loosely.

I have described the best means known to me at the present time forcarrying my invention into eifect, but do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself thereto, as I desire to cover, broadly, all equivalentmeans that will effect the object sought.

The car-E is intended to be of a construction that will render itpossible to be removed from the main track, but impossible to be removedfrom the flexible portion of the track. It will be observed that as thecar reaches the cord 6 at either end it immediately sinks to within easyreach of the operator, the cord being of the proper length, and providedwith a counter-weight to lend relief to the sudden descent of the car.

Upon reference to the figures on Sheet 3 of the drawings a betterunderstanding of the construction of parts will be had, some of saidfigures also illustrating a form of tightening device by which I am ablefrom time to time to take up slack in the main track. In these figuresthe support 0 is shown to be of a construction by which it is made toset out of line from the main track, so as to supply space or room forthe car to run upon the flexible sect-ion of track 0, and be depressedin the I The general subject-matter of receiving the manner explained;otherwise the said flexible section would itself have to deviate from aline coincident with the line of direction of the main track, whichwould consequently necessit-ate a more complicated arrangement of parts,and the result would not be as eli'ective.

Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively a side elevation and plan view of amodification of the support 0; and Fig. 7 represents a continua tion, inside elevation, of Fig. (i. In these figures the manner of attachment ofthis device to the annular or straight bar E, depending from theceiling, is by the clamp E, as shown, the support 0 being joined orpivoted to the clamp, as at 0". By this joint wires can be radiated ineither direction, as well as branch ed off in a straight line, withoutthe necessity of adjusting the clamp E on its bar, the joint 0permitting the support 0 to turn in any direction desired. On therearward end of the said clamp a bifurcated extension, 0', is arranged,through which the cord eis passed and guided.

The wire-ti htener consists of a 1011 screw the easy progress of the carfrom the main.

track onto the jointed arm a.

The remaining features represented herein-sueh as, for instance, thewiretightenerare not made the subject of claims in this application, butare to be claimed in other applications filed by me.

The operation is as follows: A sale having been made and the car causedto travel toward the cashier, it will, upon reaching the cord 0 at hisend, depress the said cord by virtue of its weight, and descend towithin reach of the cashier, as shown, the main inclined track having atthis time been adjusted at the salesmans end to a position or planebeneath a horizontal. After the cashier makes the proper disposal of thecash and the article he pulls downwardly on the cord 6 at his end, whichaction elevates the car and gives to it an incline greater than that ofthe main track itself, and the car is consequently caused to return tothe salesman by gravity. The action of giving to the cords e an inclineby pulling on them gives to the car all the impetus that is required totransmitit to the track '0.

conveyer from a track and restoring it to the same track from which itwas received is not claimed herein broadly, as that forms the subject ofan application now pending.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. Thecombinatiomwith the main track,ofaflexible medium forminga continuationthereof at each end, and inclined at an angle greater than said maintrack, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the main track, adapted to be adjusted at oneend, of a flexible section forming a continuation thereof at each endand inclined at an angle greater than said main track, substantially asdescribed.

3. The combination, with the main track, fixed at one end and adjustableat the other, of the supports 0, bearing pulleys d, jointed arms 0,attached to said supports, cords e, passing-over said pulleys, and a cartraveling the main track, substantially as described.

at. The combination, with the main track, fixed at one end, supportsc,and cords e, of the support I), block D, bearing pulleys i i, collar1, pulley f, and cord is, all substantially as described.

5. In combination, a main track,a terminal track, and means for raisingand lowering the end of the main track, to which the terminal track isattached, and other means for lowering the terminal track from and againraising it to an alignment with the main track, sub stantially asdescribed.

6. The combination, with the main track, of the flexible section andadjustable support, whereby the inclination of the main track can bechanged by moving the support up and down, substantially as described.

7. The combination, with the main track, of the flexible section 0,support 0, clamp E, bar E, and bifurcated extension, said support beingjoined or pivoted to the clamp, substantially as shown,and for thepurpose described.

8. The combination, with the main track, flexible section, support '0,and hinged arm of, of the curved arm G, extending outwardly from thesaid hinged arm 0, and through the end of which the main track passes,all substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I afflx my signaturein presence of two witnesses.

MILTON CLARK.

\Vitnesses:

EDWARD E. ELLIs, M. P. GALLAN.

